Kundli matching and porutham: a guide for families abroad
Kundli milan and jathakam porutham in plain English, and what a score can and can't tell you.
Many Hindu families compare the birth charts of a couple before a marriage. North Indian families usually call it kundli milan or guna milan. South Indian families usually call it jathakam porutham (also spelled jathagam), thirumana porutham or simply marriage matching. Both compare the two charts using traditional rules, but they count differently. This guide explains both, so you know what you're looking at when the result arrives.
What you need
For each person:
The birth time matters. Most matching rules use the Moon's position at birth. The Moon changes nakshatra about once a day, so near a boundary a difference of an hour can change the result. Checks such as Mangal dosha also depend on the rising sign, which changes every two hours or so. A birth certificate or hospital record is the best source. If you only know an approximate time, say so. The astrologer will tell you which parts of the result it affects.
Kundli milan: 8 kootas, 36 gunas
North Indian matching (Ashtakoota) scores eight areas, called kootas. Together they add up to 36 points, called gunas.
Traditionally, 18 or more out of 36 is seen as acceptable, and a higher score as better. Families often ask only for the number, but most astrologers don't stop there:
- Nadi and Bhakoot doshas carry the most points, so astrologers look at them closely. The classical texts also describe cases where these doshas are cancelled.
- Mangal dosha (being manglik) is checked separately from the 36 points, again with its traditional exceptions.
- A careful astrologer also reads each chart on its own, not only the comparison.
So two couples with the same score can get quite different explanations. That's why our matching includes a call as well as the written result.
Jathakam porutham: the 10 poruthams
South Indian families, especially Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayali families, usually check up to ten poruthams (agreements) rather than a score out of 36:
| Porutham | What it traditionally looks at |
|---|---|
| Dinam | Day-to-day harmony, from the two birth stars |
| Ganam | Nature and temperament |
| Mahendram | Prosperity and children |
| Stree Deergham | Well-being of the bride |
| Yoni | Physical compatibility |
| Rasi | The relationship between the two Moon signs |
| Rasi Adhipathi | The friendship between the lords of the two Moon signs |
| Vasiyam | Mutual attraction |
| Rajju | Traditionally treated as one of the most important |
| Vedhai | Whether the two birth stars obstruct each other |
Families and astrologers weigh these differently. Many treat Rajju and Vedhai as essential and count how many of the rest agree. Tell us which tradition your family follows. If none of our astrologers practises it, we tell you before work starts and refund you in full.
What a matching can and can't tell you
Horoscope matching is a traditional way of reflecting on a match. It is guidance, not a prediction, and it can't promise a happy marriage or rule one out. A dosha is a point to understand and discuss, not a verdict. The decision always rests with the couple and their families.
What it can do
- Show how the two charts compare in your family's tradition
- Point out doshas and explain their traditional exceptions
- Give the families a shared starting point to talk things through
What it can't do
- Predict whether a marriage will be happy
- Replace the couple's and the families' own judgement
- Turn a score into a yes or no on its own
How our matching works
- Ask on WhatsAppMessage us and choose horoscope matching. The price is shown before you pay.
- Send both birth detailsAfter paying, send both people's birth details.
- Get the result in writingAn astrologer compares the charts in your family's tradition and sends you the result in writing within 3 days.
- Talk it throughThey go through it with you on a short call, where you can ask questions.
Price per couple: US$59 · C$79 · A$89.
Asking questions on WhatsApp is free. You see the price before you book.
Common questions
Is 18 out of 36 a pass?
Traditionally 18 or more is seen as acceptable, but most astrologers don't stop at the number. They look at the Nadi and Bhakoot doshas, their traditional cancellations, Mangal dosha and each chart on its own. Two couples with the same score can get quite different explanations.
What does manglik mean?
Being manglik means having Mangal dosha: Mars in certain houses of the birth chart. It is checked separately from the 36 points, and the classical texts list many exceptions. It depends on the rising sign, so the birth time matters.
Our family uses porutham, not gunas. Can you do that?
Yes. Tell us which tradition your family follows, for example Tamil or Kerala porutham. If none of our astrologers practises it, we tell you before work starts and refund you in full.
One birth time is only approximate. Is that a problem?
Say so when you send the details. The astrologer will tell you which parts of the result it could affect, for example if the Moon was close to the edge of a nakshatra that day.
Guidance only, and no result is promised. See our disclaimer.
